From the Guidelines
Dementia is caused by a combination of factors, including damage to brain cells, abnormal protein deposits, and reduced blood flow, with the most common cause being Alzheimer's disease, as reported in the most recent study 1. The causes of dementia can be categorized into several types, including:
- Alzheimer's disease, which involves abnormal protein deposits (amyloid plaques and tau tangles) that damage and kill brain cells
- Vascular dementia, which occurs when blood vessels in the brain are damaged, reducing blood flow and oxygen to brain cells
- Lewy body dementia, which results from abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the brain
- Frontotemporal dementia, which involves damage to the brain's frontal and temporal lobes Other causes of dementia include:
- Parkinson's disease
- Huntington's disease
- Traumatic brain injury
- Infections like HIV
- Chronic alcohol abuse Risk factors for dementia include:
- Aging
- Genetics
- Cardiovascular problems
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Head injuries As noted in the study 1, while some risk factors like age cannot be modified, others like cardiovascular health can be addressed through lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, healthy diet, blood pressure management, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. The most effective way to reduce the risk of dementia is to address modifiable risk factors, such as cardiovascular health, through lifestyle changes, as recommended in the most recent study 1. Key points to consider when addressing dementia causes and risk factors include:
- The importance of early detection and diagnosis
- The need for a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses cognitive, functional, and behavioral symptoms
- The role of lifestyle changes in reducing the risk of dementia
- The impact of dementia on patients, families, and society, as highlighted in the study 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Dementia Causes
- Dementia is a complex disease with unclear etiology, but both genetic and lifestyle factors are thought to be key drivers 2
- Genetic factors, such as the apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and other genetic variants, play an important role in the pathogenesis of dementia 2, 3
- Modifiable risk factors, including aging itself, contribute to dementia 2, 3
- Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) describes a broad spectrum of cognitive impairments caused by cerebrovascular disease, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to dementia 4
- Cholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine, are thought to work by compensating for reduced cholinergic neurotransmission, which is also a feature of VCI 4, 5, 6
Genetic Factors
- Genetic predisposition is a key driver of dementia, with certain genetic variants increasing the risk of developing the disease 2, 3
- The APOE genotype is a well-established genetic risk factor for dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease 2, 3
- Other genetic variants have also been implicated in the development of dementia, although the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood 2, 3
Lifestyle Factors
- Modifiable risk factors, such as lifestyle and environmental factors, also contribute to the development of dementia 2
- Aging itself is a major risk factor for dementia, with the risk increasing exponentially with age 2, 3
- Vascular risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes, also increase the risk of developing dementia 4